In+A+Mystery+of+Heroism,+Stephen+Crane+uses+a+common+soldier+to+represent+how+people+can+be+pushed+to+do+foolish+things+without+thinking+when+influenced+by+others.+The+use+of+this+ties+back+to+Crane's+naturalistic+writing+style.


 * "A Mystery of Heroism" by Stephen Crane**

__**Summary**__
 * The other soldiers feel that Collins should attempt to get the water because they do not believe that he will do it. The officers think that the act is foolish, but they let him do it anyway.
 * On his way back after getting the water, a wounded artillery officer asks Collins for a drink of water. Collins runs off at first but then comes back and gives him some water.
 * When Collins gets back to the company, the bucket of water ends up getting dropped, making Collins' trip pointless.

__**Lens**__ Peer pressure can influence people's actions.

__**Work Significance**__ The story takes place during the Civil War, which has to do with the Conflict and Expansion unit.

__**Connections**__
 * //A Farewell to Arms//: Similar to the part when Henry risks his life just to get some cheese for his pasta.
 * //Owl Creek Bridge//: Similar in which in both stories, the trip ends up being worthless in the end.
 * //The Old Man and the Sea//: Similar to when the old man works hard to catch the fish but it ends up being eaten in the end. Similar to how Collins works hard to get the water but it is just spilled in the end.

__**Questions About the Story**__
 * 1) If an action does not benefit anyone in the end, can it still be considered a heroic act?
 * 2) If someone has to think twice before they do something, can it still be considered a heroic act?
 * 3) What might Collins represent?
 * 4) What could the Water represent?